New York prosecutors have filed the first criminal indictments against the Trump Organization, accusing the company and its chief financial officer of multiple fraud and tax offenses.
Allen Weisselberg, who worked for former President Donald Trump’s company for 48 years, surrendered to the Manhattan attorney general’s office Thursday morning.
He later appeared before the State Supreme Court in Manhattan handcuffed when the charges against him were revealed. Weisselberg pleaded not guilty, handing over his passport as part of the terms of his release.
In addition, the Trump Organization itself has been indicted as part of a long-running investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney. The next court session is scheduled for September 20.
Prosecutors accuse Mr. Trump’s company and its chief financial officer of a 15-year plan to defraud the government.
In total, 15 criminal charges have been brought against Mr Weisselberg, with many also being directed against the organisation. Among the charges are conspiracy, grand theft and criminal tax fraud.
In particular, the investigators honed Mr. Weisselberg’s fringe benefits from the company, which they claimed were not publicized for the $1.7 million (1.4 million euros) Internal Revenue Service dating back to 2005. Tuition fees for Mr. Weisselberg’s family include members And the apartment is free. He was also accused of falsifying documents.
Beginning in at least 2005 through or around June 30, 2021, the defendants and others operated a scheme to defraud the federal, state, and New York tax authorities. The purpose of the scheme was to compensate Weiselberg and other Trump Organization executives in an «unfair» manner. official,» according to the indictment.
«Illegal Payment Scheme»
Carrie Dunn, the attorney general in the attorney general’s office, rejected the defense’s allegations during the court hearing that the investigation was politically motivated.
«It’s not about politics… frankly, this was a comprehensive and audacious illegal payment scheme.»
The 25-page indictment also states that similar undisclosed compensation arrangements have been made with other Trump executives, raising the possibility of further indictments.
Speaking to CNN after the proceedings, former Trump Organization attorney Michael Cohen, who served time in prison over illegal payments to adult movie star Stormy Daniels on behalf of his former boss, said he believes more individuals at the company will also face charges, including Maybe Mr. Trump’s kids.
In a statement, New York Attorney General Letitia James, who recently joined Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance in the investigation, said «Today is a significant milestone in the ongoing criminal investigation of the Trump Organization and its chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg.»
«This investigation will continue, and we will follow the facts and the law wherever they lead.»
But Mr Trump described the indictment as politically motivated. «The political witch hunt by radical left-wing Democrats, with New York now taking charge, continues,» he said in a statement. «It’s dividing our country like never before!»
Speaking after the hearing, Trump Organization lawyers criticized the investigation as «politically motivated,» arguing that it sets an «improper precedent.»
«This type of case is usually resolved in the civil context,» said attorney Alan Wouterfas. He also compared the attorneys general’s treatment of Trump with their approach to major financial institutions during the financial crisis.
The Trump Organization, in a statement, praised Weiselberg as a «loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather who has worked for the Trump Organization for 48 years.»
«It is now being used by the Manhattan attorney general as a pawn in a scorched earth attempt to harm the former president. The attorney general is filing a criminal case for employee benefits that neither the IRS nor any other plaintiff is considering offering,» the statement said. «It’s not fair. This is politics.»